Abstract
Introduction: The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between pet owner’s combined knowledge, comfort, and perceived skills at finding, evaluating, applying online pet health information, and the application of the information prescription (IP) provided for pet owners education on the internet.
 Methods: Thirty telephone interviews were conducted followed by a questionnaire of eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS) with pet owners after receiving an IP with a suggested websites in addition to their customary veterinary services in a vet clinic at the center of Tehran, Iran. Qualitative and quantitative data were merged to explore differences and similarities among respondents with different eHealth literacy levels.
 Results: Results indicate that pet owners with higher score of eHealth literacy more accessed the suggested websites and reported positive feelings about this addition to their veterinary services. Similarly, among the eight-item self-reported eHealth Literacy skills, perceived skills at evaluating and applying, were significantly associated with the use of IPs. Lastly eHealth literacy level was significantly associated with the outcomes of prescribed information, such as veterinarians-client communication outcome and learning outcomes.
 Conclusion: Disparities in application of the veterinarian’s IPs for online pet healthcare information, and its outcomes are associated with different eHealth literacy skills. Veterinarians should collaborate with information specialists and librarians to perform education efforts to raise awareness on online pet health information quality and impact of veterinarian directed information prescription especially among low health literate owners.
Highlights
The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between pet owners' perceived health literacy skills and using the information prescription (IP) provided by veterinarians about education on the internet
Quantitative data was collected from participants (n=30) via standardized questionnaires about eHealth literacy at the clinic waiting room before the IP was handed out in the examination room by vets
There were no significant differences based on other IPs outcomes: Using recommended pet healthrelated websites (p=0.278), obtaining pet health information evaluation skill (p=0.309), changing in pet owner’s health behavior (p=0.335), and discussing with family and friends (p=0.362) among participants with different eHealth literacy scores
Summary
The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between pet owners' perceived health literacy skills (in finding, evaluating, and applying online pet health information) and using the information prescription (IP) provided by veterinarians about education on the internet. Digitization in veterinary science has changed rapidly over the last decades, and online information and applications are playing a growing role in pet health care. Veterinarians and their clients are using the internet to seek and share health information about companion animals, interact with each other, and promote client education programs [4,5]
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